Ink applying apparatus



Jan. 26, 1943.

P. J. WENTWORTH INK APPLYING APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan- 26, 1943v P. J. wENTwoRTH INK APPLYING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 26, 1939 INVENTOR Pear! ATTO Jan. `26, 1943. P. J. wENTwoRTH INK APPLYING APPARATUS s sheets-sheet s Filed July 26, 1939 Patented Jan. 26, 1943 UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE 18 Claims.

This invention relates to iluid dispensing devices and more particularly to dispensing devices `of the type used for dispensing fluids which because of their inherent qualities, require frequent agitation to maintain their composition. Y

An object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispensing device having means associated therewith to agitate the fluid incident to discharge of said fluid from said device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispensing device including a iluid reservoir and a discharge conduit with means for agitating the contents of the reservoir and of simultaneously agitating the iluid contained with-` in the discharge conduit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid ink applicator having a discharge tip so constructed as to permit precise and accurate control of the fluid being discharged.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a discharge device of the type described and which may be inexpensively manufactured and maintained at a minimum of cost.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side plan elevation of the device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the reservoir portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view i1- lustrating the applicator, which comprises a detail of the present invention, operatively associated with the edge oi a shoe sole.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the applicator which forms a detail of the present invention, the parts of which are shown in readyto-be assembled relationship forsclarity of detail. Y

Fig. 5 is an end vertical sectional View of the applicator tip shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side plan view of an assembled applicator comprising a detail of the invention.

Figs. '7 and 8 are vertical sectional and iront plan views respectively of a modied form of applicator head embodying the present invention.

Figs. 9 and 10 are vertical sectional andfront plan views respectively of a second modiiied form of applicator head.

Fig. 11 is a side view illustrating the applicator disclosed in Figs. 9 and 10 operatively associated with the outer edge of a shoe sole.

proper iluidity and applicator disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9 operatively associated with the bottom edge of a heel.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of a device comprising a detail of the invention.

For the purpose of illustration only and merely by Way of example, the present invention will be described as an apparatus for applying ink or dye to the outer edges of shoe soles, insoles, shanks,

' heels and the like.

l touching up said edges so Fig. 12 is a top perspective view illustrating the, A55

It has long been the custom in the shoe industry to apply ink or dye to the outer edges of shoe soles, shanks and heels for the purpose of as to properly and harmoniously blend with the general color scheme of the shoe. l

The ink has been and is even today applied to the shoes by means of a brush. It has been customary to provide each shoe worker with one or more pot or cup-like receptacles in each of which a small quantity of suitable inks were kept for his immediate inking needs. The contents of said potor cup-like receptacles were replenished, at frequent intervals during the day, from a `larger supply of inks contained in master containers. It has been customary for such master containers to be provided with suitable means for continuously agitating their contents in order to keep the ingredients comprising the ink propeilty blended and the ink in a proper state of ilu 1 y.

In order to prevent the ink which is applied to the shoe soles, shanks, heels and the like from accidentally nding its Way onto the shoe uppers,

due to carelessness of the worker or because of the condition of the inking brush, it frequently was necessary to protect the shoe uppers by means of masking tape. Obviously the process of masking increased the cost of production, since in addition to the cost of the tape itself it added the operation of applying said tape and the operation of removing said tape after the inking process has been completed, to the labor manufacturing cost.

The present invention is directed, among other things, to the provision of an ink dispensing deator as he performs the inking operation. The invention is also directed to the` novel constructlon of an ink applicator head from which the As clearly shown in Fig. l, the device comprises an ink reservoir Il), a suitable ink conduit or conductor member II and an ink applicater I2. The ink reservoir Ii) is adapted to be mounted in close proximity to and preferably above the individual shoe worker so that contents of said reservoir may flow by gravity through conduit or conductor II to the ink applicator I2.

Ink reservoir I3 may comprise a suitable chamber I3'formed from any suitable material which is unaiected by the ink, such as aluminum or the like. The upper portion of said chamber is preferably provided with a suitable lid or cover member 25 which may be secured to chamber I3 by any suitable means such as a bracket member, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Access to the interior of chamber i3 may be controlled by means of a suitable hinged closure member 10 which may be hingedly connected to cover member 25, as shown.

A suitable discharge nipple I4 is provided in the lowermost portion of said chamber, as shown. A fluid tight t may be effected between the collar portion I5 of sleeve I6 and that portion of the chamber bottom adjacent aperture I1 by means of a suitable llock nut I8. Said discharge nipple Iii may be secured to the lower portion of sleeve I as shown. If desired a suitable gasket I9 may be interposed between abutting facesrQD and 9| of sleeve I3 and nipple I4 respectively,

as shown.

Conduit or conductor II may be made of any suitable material such as rubber or the like possessing similar characteristics of flexibility and extensibility, for reasons hereinafter more fully explained. Said conduc-tor may be secured to nipple I4, as shown, for conducting the contents of reservoir I3 to applicator I2. The opposite end of said conductor may be secured to applicator nipple 33, as shown.

In order to agitate the contents of reservoir I a suitable impeller'such as 23 may be provided. If desired, said impeller may comprise two or more blades, as shown, which may be secured by any suitable means such as rivets 2| or the like, to the lower portion 22 of a screw drive member 23. Said screw drive member may comprise a iiat rectangular strip of suitable metal which is provided, intermediate its ends, with a helical rib |23.

A suitable slot-like yaperture 2li may be provided through reservoir cover member 25 through which slot said screw drive member 23 is adapted to be vertically moved. rihe pitch of said helical rib E23 is preferably large or coarse so that as said screw member is moved upwardly or downwardly along its longitudinal axis, thr-ough slot 24, said screw member will be given a rotary motion about its longitudinal axis. From the foregoing it is apparent that the impellers 2will be simultaneously rotated about and moved along the longitudinal axis of the screw drive member, as helical rib |23 is moved up or clown relative to slot 24.

In order to return screw drive member 23 and` impellers 23 to their upper or normal position (shown in Figs. l and 2) a suitable spring such as 26 lmay be interposed between the upper face 21 of a recess |21 provided in li-d 25 and the lower face 28 of a bearing sleeve member 23.`

rThe upper end of screw drive member 23 may be secured to a roller member 30 which is adapted for frictionless rotation on ball bearings 3| within bearing sleeve 29 as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

In this manner the screw 4drive member 23v75 and impeller 20 are constantly urged to the upper or normal position indicated in Figs. l. and 2. If desired a suitable cap member 32 may be provided to house and protect screw drive member 23, spring 26 and associated parts. The lower end of said cap member may be secured within recess |21 by means of a wedge nt with the side walls thereof.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, screw drive member 23 is forced downwardly through 'slot 2d whereby to rotate impeller 23 in response to a pull Ion applicator member I2.

This may be expeditiously accomplished by means of a suitable flexible drive member 4 which is housed within and extends co-axially of conductor member Il. One end of iexible 4drive member 40 may be secured to the lower end 22 of screw drive member 23 through a suitable shaft il and coupling member l2 as clearly disclosed in Fig. 2. Flexible member 4|) may be secured to shaft 4I by any suitable means such as welding or the like.

The opposite end -of exible drive member 4U may be anchored to the interior of applicator nipple 43, by securing the end of drive member l to a suitable pin 44 which may be secured to applicator nipple 43 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

In this manner the lower en-d of screw drive member 23 is operatively connected to applicator I2 through flexible `drive member 4U whereby said screw drive member 23 may be given a downward motion in response to a pull upon said applicator.

In the preferred form of the invention exible drive member 4i! may comprise a tightly coiled spring the opposite ends of which are anchored, as explained, to screw drive member 23 and applicator nipple 43.

It should be noted that by reason of the exible and extensible nature of conductor member |I it is free to be stretched or extended along its longitudinal axis each time applicator I2 is pulled or moved relative to reservoir I3, for the purpose of actuating impeller 2D.

It should also be observed that when the f-orce which normally maintains the coils comprising drive member Q9 in a closed, contacting relationship is overcome by a pull exerted upon it via said applicator I2, that the individual coils thereof will be separated by an amount which is proporti-onal to the degree of pullon said applicator.

When applicator I2 is pulled to Vagitate impeller 2|] conductor II will be stretched a certain amount. It should be observed that the individual coils which comprise coiled spring drive member 40 will not necessarily be separated simultaneously therewith the same moment said applicator is pulled since the drive screw member 23 will yield to the force so applied by drive` member 4D and move downwardly through slot 24. However, when screw drive member 23 and its associated impeller 20 have reached the bottom limit of their vertical travel or stroke, the individual coils comprising said spring drive member will separate and there will be a relative movement between the interior walls of conductor II and the individual coils of drive member 40. Such relative motion will effectively agitato any fluid contained within said conductor or conduit II. l The extensible or stretchable portion of said spring is somewhat longer than the stretchable portion of said conduit so that their stretch is l relative rather than equal, wherefore agitation occurs. Y l

vIt should be observed that when conductor is stretched or extended along its longitudinal axis, the side walls thereof are contracted or drawn inwardly toward said longitudinal axis whereby the cross sectional area of said conductoris diminished. When relative motion occurs between the individual coils of drive member 40 and the inner contracted walls of the stretched conductor Il, the outer edges of said coils may frictionally engage or scrape said contracted inner walls whereby any ink which may be `deposited upon said conductor walls will be scraped on". Likewise ink is squeezed or forced through said spring coils when said conductor is contracted by stretching.

It should be noted that while it is preferable to use a tightly coiled spring for drive member 40, as hereinabove described, still it is a fact that such a drive member may comprise a flexible but non-elastic or non-extensible member. Such a flexible, but non-extensible member may comprise a wire, a linked chain, a braided or twisted cable, a cord or the like. When using such a non-extensible drive member the amount or degree to which extensible conduct-or I is stretched when the applicator is pulled to operate impellers 20, is limited to the length of travel of screw drive member 23.

Ink from reservoir and conductor is introduced via applicator nipple 43 (Fig. 4) into the upper end of hollow needle 45. A suitable passageway |45 extends longitudinally through said needle, the lower end of said passageway terminating short of the end of the needle as shown. An outlet port |46 is provided through the outer wall of needle 45 and at right angles to the axis of passageway |45. Hollow needle 45 may be mounted within a suitable stem member such as 46 by any suitable means such as by a force t. A substantial portion of said needle extends from the lower edge of stem 46, as shown, for reasons hereinafter apparent.

The upper portion |41 of stem 46 may be adapted for threaded engagement with nipplecap member 41 for providing a fluid tight nt between the upper edge 48 of stem 46 and the lower edge 49 of the out turned flange 50 of applicator nipple 43.

The lower end |48 of stem 46 may be externally threaded for threaded engagement with a spacer nut and for threaded engagement with the upper threaded recessed portion |49 of applicator housing |20.

A suitable shoulder |42 may be provided intermediate the upper and lower ends of stem 46 for providing an area or member which may be engaged by a suitable tool for rotating said stem about its longitudinal axis.

Applicator housing |20 may be provided with a central longitudinal bore 52 which terminates at its lower end in a conoidal seat portion 53 with which the pointed end 54 of needle 45 is adapted to cooperate for metering the quantity of fluid delivered to applicator discharge head 55. The degree of penetration of needle 45 within bore 52 may be accurately controlled by governing the distance which recessed portion |49 is threaded onto the lower end |48 of stem 46. The degree to which said applicator housing may be threaded onto the lower end of said stem is determined by the location of spacer nut 5| on the lower threaded end |48 of stem 46, since the upper surface |40 of applicator housing |20 is adapted to contact and abut against the lower surface |50 of said spacer nut, as clearly shown in Fig.

`6. If desired a suitable shoulder nut |5| may be provided integral with the upper end of appliing |20.

An applicator discharge head may be operatively associated with applicator housing |20 by means of a connector member 58, the upper end 59 of which is externally threaded for threaded engagement with internally threaded chamber .|54 of applicator housing |20. Applicator head 55 is provided with an internally threaded recessed portion 60 which is adapted for threaded engagement with the lower externally threaded end 6| of connector 58. If desired a shoulder nut 62 may be provided intermediate the upper and lower ends 59 and 6| respectively, of connector 48 as shown.

A chamber 63 is provided interiorly of connector 58, the upper portion of said chamber being open and internally threaded as at 64. 'Ihe Vlower end of chamber 63 terminates in a restrictive passageway 65. A ball valve 66 is adapted to cooperate with a valve seat 61 which circumscribes the upper end of passageway 65, as shown.

Ball valve 66 is constantly urged towards seat 61 by means of a suitable helical spring 68, the upper end of which contacts the under side of a collar 69 of a screw member 1| which is provided with a passageway 12 extending longitudinally therethrough. VVThe upper shank portion 13 of said screw member is externally threaded for threaded engagement with the upper threaded portion 64 of chamber 63 as shown. If desired said screw member may be provided with an extended shank portion 14 which is adapted to extend interiorly of spring 68 to maintain said spring in proper alignment relative to ball valve 66.

The lower end of connector 58 terminates in a discharge nipple 15 having an outside diameter substantially less` than the outside diameter of head from the bottom of threaded recess 60. The

outside diameter of the upper portion of said discharge port is proportioned so as to freely receive the discharge nipple 15. A suitable valve actuator 11 is provided comprising a pin member 18, a pilot member 19 and an intermediate flange member 80, as shown.

Pin member 18 is adapted to loosely extend upwardly through passageway of discharge nipple 15 whereby the upper end 8| thereof may contact the lower edge of ball valve 60.

Discharge port 16 is provided intermediate its length, with an offset 82 against which the lower side of flange member may abut to prevent said valve actuator 11 from becoming disassociated from said discharge port 16. Flange member 80 is also adapted to function as a valve in conjunction with abutment 82 which functions as a valve seat to augment the operation of ball valve 66.

Valve actuator 11 is adapted to loosely t within head 55 so that any ink discharged through ball valve 66 may be discharged through port 16.

It should be noted that pilot member 19 Vislpref'. erably of such a length as to extend to thelower edge 63 of applicator head 55 (Figs.` 4 and 5) Vwhen ball valve 66 vis in a closed, Iseated position.

Ink in passageway |45 of hollow needle 45 is discharged via needle outlet port |46 into conoidal seat 53 thence throughaperture |53 into charnber |54,'thence through passageway 12 of screw member 1| into valve` chamber 68 from which it is discharged via discharge port 16 when valve 66 is unseated.

As clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5 the lateral distance between opposed faces A and B of applicator'head 55 determines the width of the ink line made by that particular head.

It should be noted that each shoe operator may be provided with a plurality of applicator discharge head members as 55', |00 and 220 (Figs. 5,

"7, and 9), each having different characteristics whereby flexibility of the device is greatly increased. In thoseinstances where just the bottom `outer edge-S of a shoe outsole, shank or heel orrany combination of such items require inking, a narrow throated applicator discharge head, such as ldisclosed in Fig. 1 would be used. The width of the ink line applied is defined and limited by the distance between opposite edges A and B of said applicator head. VIt is obvious that the ink so-applied cannot splash or become unwieldly such as is the case when a brush is used to apply the ink.

For certain other inkngoperations the applicator heads shown in Figs. '1 and 9 are more practical.

In those instances where the upper edge of the outsole of a mans or womans shoe is to be inked, or'when it is desired to ink curved surfacessuch as the edge of a heel bottom, a striper head such as |50 is particularly well adapted for the job.

Such a striper head comprises rounded ink applicatory head having spaced walls E and F which define the width of the ink stripe applied.

Ink may be discharged from a suitable chamber |02 via orice |03 when a suitable valve |04 is unseated against the force of spring |05 from valve seat 204 which circumscribes the upper end l of said orifice. Said spring may be disposed intermediate the upper edge of valve |04 and the lower edge of collar |06 of a partially bored set screw member |01. Valve |04 may be provided with an upstanding, spring aligning pin |08 the:

upper end of which is adapted for reciprocation within bore |09 of set screw |01, which is adapted for the threaded engagement with said device, as shown. A pilot member I|0 may be provided which functions in a manner similar to pilot.

member 19 as hereinabove more fully described in connectionwith discharge head 55.

Fluid is introduced into chamber |02 via passageway SII, the upper free end of which terminates in an enlarged, internally threaded portion I I2. having an upper externally threaded portion I I4 is adapted for threaded engagement with internally threaded chamber |54 of applicator housing |20. The lower portion of said auxiliary connector is externally threaded as at I5 for threadedengagement with the interiolly threaded end il?. of striper head |00. A suitable unrestricted passageway i i5 is provided longitudinally of auxiliary connector' I3, as shown.

It should be observed that in the preferred em bodiment of the invention, passageway is disposed at an angle to the vertical axis of valve |04nwhereby the main body or hand grip portion of said head. will -be .disposed oi to the side in An. auxiliary connector |I3 (Fig. 13)

order that an operator may more easily see his work and control the ink stripe being applied, as shown in Fig. 12.

A striper head as disclosed in Figs. '1, S and Vl2 is particularly well adapted to apply ink the upper edge of the outer sole adjacent the shoe upper since the rounded applicator head is particularly well adapted to engage the shoe edge during the entire inking stroke from` the breast of the heel, around the sole to the breast of the heel on the opposite side of the shoe.

As clearly shown in Fig. 12 such a striper is likewise particularly well suited to stripe the lower heel edges with an even coating of ink of constant width In those instances where it is desirable to ink the upper, outer and lower edges, |2I, |22, and |23, ci a shoe outsole a suitable shoe edge'ink applicator head such as 220 may be used. Such a device may comprise spaced upper and lower outer sole `edge engaging lingers |24 and |25.

Ink from applicator housing |20 may be conducted to said applicator head via auxiliary connectcr I I3. The upper portion of said applicator 4head may be internally threaded as at |21 for yedge of the disc-harge'port when said valve is in a closed position. Said valve is adapted to be unseated when a resilient spring member |32 is forced against the projecting portion of said ball valve. In the preferred form of the invention the width of spring member |32 is substantially equal to the lateral `distance between opposite faces of fingers |24 and |25. @ne end of spring member |32 may be suitably secured to the body of said applicator head by means of a suitable screw |33.

It should be noted that when ball valve |30 is unseated a portion of the ink will flow from discharge port |29 under spring member |32 thence outwardly between the opposite side edges of said spring member into the inner faces of iingers |24 and |25, the rest of the ink being discharged into face |40 (Fig. 9) between said fingers.

As shown in Fig. il the ink so discharged may be accurately applied, simultaneously to the top, side and bottom edges |2I, |22 and 23 respectively of outsole |35. It should be noted that finger |24 is adapted to extend along the entire width of the top outsole edge |2| extending to and under the soleadjacent edge of upper |35,

as shown.

It should be noted that applicator heads |00 and 220 are adapted to be secured to applicator housing |20 via auxiliary connector ||3 whereby .the rate of ink delivered to said heads is under the control of needle valve 45, as hereinabove more fully described.

In those instances where ladies shoes are being inked, the outer edge of the outsole may be Vneatly and accurately inked by using an appli- .of outsole .80.- It should be noted that the outer edge 92 of said head snugly fits into and completely fills the space intermediate the lower portion 93 of the shoe upper 94 and the upper edge of outsole 80. Since no ink can get onto outer applicator head edge 92, the ink cannot find its way onto upper 94 Wherefore the need for masking tape is eliminated.

It should be understood that a separate discharge head may be provided for each different type of inking job or problem as well as for different thicknesses of shoe soles, etc., so that the nature of the ink line made in any instance will be of the proper width, etc.

The term discharge channel hereinafter used refers to the recessed, wide throated ink-line defining portions of the applicator discharge heads 55, and 200 as defined by the lateral distance `between faces A. and B, and fingers IM and I25 respectively.

.It should be further noted that by reason of the accuracy and the manner in which ink may be directed by said device that the present practice of ironing the inked portions may be dispensed with.

In actual practice, each worker is provided with one or more devices as hereinabove described, and at frequent intervals (preferably each time an ink line is about to be made), the contents of reservoir I0 and of the conductor II are agitated by pulling on applicator member I2 one or more times. By reason of the fact that each operator is able to keep his ink supply properly agitated, it is possible to provide said operator with a suillcient quantity of ink to last the entire day thereby eliminating his numerous trips to the master reservoir for ink as is now the case.

It should be understood that if desired, a different type of impeller may be provided to agitate the contents of reservoir I0 rather than the type herein disclosed. Such an impeller may comprise merely a flat plate member adapted to be oscillated up and down by means of drive member 40.

Likewise, it is contemplated that in some instances the contents of reservoir I 0 may be continuously agitated by means of a suitable motor in which case the means disclosed herein for agitating the fluid contents of the reservoir would .be dispensed with and the means disclosed herein for agitating the contents of the conduit or conductor I I would be used without using said tightly coiled spring as a drive member 40, but merely as a conduit contents agitator.

It should be noted that cover member 25 may be provided with suitable fastening means, such as slotted members |00 which are adapted to engage a suitable bracket member, not shown, for maintaining reservoir I0 adjacent and above a shoe operator.

It should likewise be noted that once an operator has adjusted the rate of ink discharge (by regulating the degree to which needle 45 penetrates boref52) from his applicator, he need not thereafter be concerned about getting too much or too small an amount of ink when pilot 'I9 is depressed to actuate valve 66. In this manner the rate and quality of production is increased without increasing the skill required of the individual operator. i

By reason of the neatness and accuracy with which ink may be applied by the present device,

it is now possible to use so-called fast drying, selfpolishing inks, which, as their name indicates, dry rapidly with a ne lustre and which require no ironing as is required to polish the brush ap- 5 plied inks. lyfeasible to use a fast drying, self-polishing ink because of the chance of damaging the shoes in the event such ink was not neatly and accurately applied. However, the present device is admirably adapted to apply such inks.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in the structural details of the device may be made, Within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In a device of the class described a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir, a fluid applicator and an extensible conduit interconnecting said reservoir and applicator, agitator means housed within said reservoir, aflexible ...ber disposed within said conduit, one end d flexible member being connected. to said Y, ox.' means, the oppositeend of said mein.- ber being anchored to said applicator said agitating means being operable from said applicator upon extension of said conduit for operating said agitator means from said applicator.

2. In a device of the class described comprising a fluid reservoir, a fluid applicator and an extensible fluid conduit interconnecting said reservoir and applicator, impeller means disposed within said reservoir for agitating the fluid contents thereof, impeller drive means operatively associated with said-impeller, a flexible shaftlike member extending between said applicator and said` impeller drive means and located interiorly of said extensible fluid conduit, said impeller drive means being remotely operable from said applicator upon movement of said applicator for extending said conduit.

3. A fluid dispensing device of the class described comprising a reservoir, an applicator and an extensible conduit interconnecting said reservoir and applicator, means operable upon extension of said conduit connected to said applicator for simultaneously agitating the fluid contents of said reservoir and said extensible conduit, and means on said applicator for controlling the discharge of fluid from said applicator.

4. In a device of the class described including a fluid reservoir, a discharge nozzle and an extensible fluid conduit interconnecting said reservoir and nozzle, impeller means disposed Within said reservoir for agitating the fluid contents thereof, impe-ller driving means comprising a screw member adapted for vertical movement along its longitudinal axis for producing a rotating motion about its longitudinal axis, means for returning said impeller driving means to the top of its vertical travel to a normal position, means for actuating said impeller driving means comprising a flexible, tightly coiled spring member one end of which is secured to said vertically movable screw member the other end of which is anchored to said discharge nozzle, said spring member .being loosely housed within said extensible fluid conduit, said screw being caused to rotate in response to a downward pull on'said nozzle, and means responsive to pressure for controlling discharge of fluid from said nozzle.

5. In a device of the `class described comprising a fluid reservoir including a discharge nipple. impeller means disposed Within said reservoir for agitating the fluid contents thereof, a, fluid applicator comprising a housing having a fluid inlet at the opposite end, an extensible fluid conduit interconnecting said reservoir discharge nipple Heretofore it has not been practical- 1 nipple at one end and having a fluid outlet and said applicator'inlet nipple, impeller actuator means extending through said conduit terminating at and operatively secured to said applicator whereby said impeller means may be remotely actuated from said applicator incident to extension of said lluid conduit, said applicator including means for controllingl the rate of flow of fluid through said applicator, a valve, and means for operating said valve including a pilot member, a fluid discharge head, said discharge head operatively associated with the outlet end of said applicator housing, said discharge head comprising a fluid discharge port which terminates in a` pair of spaced faces, said valve operating means extending through said discharge port, said pilot member adapted. to normally .extend forwardly between and extend beyond the outer edge of said spaced discharge head faces when said valve. is in a closed position, the lateral distance between said spaced faces defining the width of a fluid line discharged from said discharge head when said valve is operated in response to actuation of said pilot member.

6. In a device of the class described comprising a fluid reservoir including a discharge nipple, a fluid applicator including an inlet nipple, and an extensible fluid conduit having opposite ends secured to said reservoir discharge nipple and said applicator inlet nipple respectively, a flexible coiled spring member extending longitudinally of and co-axially through said conduit, opposite ends of said member being fixed relative to the opposite ends of said conduit whereby movement of said applicator away from said reservoir will stretch said conduit and said coiled spring member for producing a relative: movement between the interior of saidY conduit and the individual coils comprising said spring member whereby the fluid contents of said conduit will be agitated.

7. A fluid dispensing device of the class described comprising a reservoir, an applicator, and an extensible conduit interconnecting said reservoir and applicator, means operable from said applicator incident to extension of said conduit for simultaneously agitating the fluid contents of said reservoir and the fluid contents of said extensible conduit, and means housed within said applicator for controlling the rate of discharge of fluid from said applicator, and valve means for controlling the duration of fluid discharge from said applicator.

8. In `a device of the class described comprising a fluid reservoir, fluid agitating means disposed within said reservoir, a fluid applicator including an inlet and a discharge end, and an extensible fluid conductor interconnecting said reservoir and the inlet end of said applicator and including agitator drive means rendered operative upon extension of said conduit interconnecting, said agitator and applicator, said applicator including adjustable fluid metering means, a valve, and means including a pilot member which normally projects beyond the discharge end of said applicator for controlling the operation of said Valve.

9. In a device of the class described comprising a fluid reservoir, an extensible fluid vapplicator and a conductor interconnecting said reservoir and applicatonimpeller means disposed interiorly of said reservoir for agitating the contents thereof, impeller actuating means extending coaxially of said conductor for interconnecting said impeller means with said applicator whereby said impeller means is rendered operative when said applicator is moved relative to said reservoir by an amount sufficient to extend said fluid conductor beyond its normal, unextended length.

10. In a device of the class described comprising a fluid reservoir, fluid agitating means disposed within said reservoir, a fluid applicator, a conductor interconnecting said reservoir and applicator including fluid agitating drive means rendered operative upon extension of said conduit, said applicator including means for metering the rate of discharge of fluid from said applicator, a valve, and means for actuating said valve to effect a fluid discharge from said applicator.

1l. In combination, a fluid reservoir, a fluid applicator including a discharge head, an extensible conduit member interconnecting said reservoir and applicator, an impeller to agitate the fluid contents of said reservoir, of an impeller drive member located coaxially of said conduit member and extending between and operatively connecting said impeller and applicator for actuating said impeller when said conduit is extended incident to movement of said applicator away from said reservoir, a valve in said applicator tocontrol the rate of supply of iluid from said discharge head, and a second Valve in said applicator including a pilot member movable relative to said discharge head for controlling the discharge of fluid from said discharge head.

12. As a new article of manufacture an applicator head of the class described comprising a body portion, a recessed substantially U-shaped open ended discharge channel disposed intermediate a pair of outwardly projecting spaced walls, a valve to control the flow of fluid to said discharge channel, and valve actuating means projecting from said valve and extending forwardly between said spaced walls.

13. As a new article of manufacture an applicator for applying ink to the corner edge of shoe soles, said applicator comprising a housing, means in the upper end thereof for attaching a fluid ink reservoir, the lower end of said housing terminating in a recessed substantially U-shaped open ended discharge channel disposed intermediate a pair of spaced walls, a passageway extending through said housing, a valve, resilient means for normally maintaining said valve in a seated condition, valve actuating means disposed intermediate said valve and the outer edge or said spaced discharge channel defining walls, a second valve disposed between said valve and the discharge channel, said Valve actuating means adapted to unseat both of said valves when the corner edge of a shoe is introduced between said spaced walls, whereby ink is discharged onto those portions of the shoe edge located within said spaced walls.

14. As 'a new article of manufacture an applicator head for applying ink to the corners of articles such as 'shoe soles, heels and the like,'

comprising a housing, a passageway extending through said housing, means in one end of said i passageway for attaching an ink reservoir, the

opposite end ofV said passageway terminating in a discharge port, and an ink applying edge comprising an arcuate shoe corner engaging surface. a recessed substantially lJ-shaped open ended channel way extending longitudinally of said surface, saidv channel being dened by a pair of spaced walls, and a bottom, said discharge port terminating at and being in communication with said channel bottom, a valve for controlling the discharge of ink into said channel, and means disposed intermediate said valve and 'a plane through the outer edge of said channel for contacting the corner of an article introduced into said channel to be inked whereby to unseat said valve.

15. As a new article of manufacture an applicator head for simultaneously applying ink to the top, outer and bottom edges of a shoe sole, said applicator head comprising a housing, a passageway extending through said housing and including an inlet and a discharge port, said discharge port located in the perimeter of a rounded ink applying face, a pair of spaced iingers extending outwardly beyond the plane of said face for deiining the Width of said face, the lateral distance between said spaced lingers being substantially equal to the width of the shoe edge sole to be inked, said ngers adapted to extend over the top and bottom edges of the shoe sole, a valve for controlling the discharge of ink from mediate said fingers to contact the outer edge of the shoe sole being inked for actuating said valve.

16. As a new article of manufacture an applicator head for simultaneously applying ink to the outer, top and bottom edge of shoe soles, said applicator head comprising a recessed discharge channel including a bottom and upstanding side Walls, said bottom adapted to engage the outer edge of a shoe sole, one upstanding wall adapted to extend over the top edge of said sole intermediate the outer edge of the sole and extend along said top edges to the juncture of the shoe upper with said sole, the other side wall adapted to engage the bottom edge of said sole, a valve for controlling the discharge of ink to said channel, and means for contacting the outer surface of said sole for actuating said valve.

17. As a new article of manufacture an applicator including a fluid discharge head for applying ink to the corner edge of shoe soles, and the like, said applicator comprising an elongated housing having a central bore terminating in a chambered discharge opening and a tapered Valve seat, a hollow tapered needle Valve operating through the central bore and closable against said seat, means for selectively adjusting and said needle valve relative to its seat, a fluid connector removably secured to and projecting from said chambered discharge opening,

said connector having a constricted tubular discharge opening and a valve seat in its lower portion. a ball valve closable against said seat and resilient means for normally urging said ball valve onto its seat, and a iiuid discharge head removably secured to the lower end of said connector, said head having a discharge opening and a valve seat in its lower portion, said discharge opening being defined by a pair of outwardly projecting spaced walls for providing a U-shaped channelway into which the edge of a shoe sole is bodily receivable, a valve closable against said seat, said valve including a forwardly extending pilot member operating through and terminating in the discharge opening, said pilot including means engageable with the lower face of said ball Valve for synchronizing the operation of the valve of the discharge head with the operation of said ball valve, said needle valve adapted to control the rate of flow of iluid through said applicator, said discharge head valve and ball valve adapted to concurrently control the discharge of nuid from said head, each of said valves adapted to be unseated against the counter force of said resilient means when the pilot is shifted inwardly of said head incident to the introduction of the edge of a shoe sole into said U-shaped channelway.

18. In combination, a uid reservoir, fluid impeller means within said reservoir, a fluid applicator including a fiuid discharge head, an eX- tensible conduit member interconnecting said reservoir and applicator, impeller actuating means extending co-axially of said iiuid conduit and operatively interconnecting said applicator to said impeller means whereby said impeller means may be remotely driven from said applicator incident to stretching said conduit upon movement of the applicator away from the reserVoir, a Valve in said applicator to control the rate of supply of iuid to the discharge head, a second normally closed valve to control the discharge of fluid from said head, and means carried by and movable relative to said discharge head for unseating said second valve only incident to the application of fluid, and for precluding accidental or unintentional discharge of fluid incident to actuation of said impeller actuating means.

PEARL JOSEPH WENTWORTH. 

